Many beginners and amateurs of photography become quickly frustrated by the numerous amount of technical terminology used in the craft. But all is not lost, listed below are a few common terms that I have defined in an easy to understand language.
Aperture
This refers to a diaphragm inside all cameras which change size to admit more or less light. This structure is very similar to how the human eye works in that a circular opening becomes enlarged or smaller dependent upon how much light there is.
The most confusing thing about aperture is the nomenclature used. It is quoted in what are called f-stops. A smaller f-stop number, for example f/1.8, actually means that the aperture will open wider, while a larger f-stop, for example f/22, means only a tiny opening.
If you have an SLR camera, you will not have the wide range of f-stops. The range can run from f/2.8 to f/8 which means the widest the aperture will open is 2.8 and the narrowest is 8.
Sensor
When you press the button to take a photo, the camera contains a light-sensitive panel that records the light hitting it at the time. This function in a digital camera performs the same function as film does in a film camera. This sensor is hidden behind the shutter (see below) and is not exposed until the button is pressed. Light is recorded by the sensor when a photo is taken and stored on a memory card.
Shutter Speed
A shutter on a camera is located just in front of the image sensor. This piece is always closed until the button to take a photo is pressed. Once the button is pressed, the shutter opens for a specific period of time, exposing the sensor to light.
The shutter in most cameras will be comprised of two curtains. For longer exposures, the whole sensor might be exposed for a period of time before the second curtain closes it. In the case of fast shutter speed however, the first curtain opens only a tiny gap between it and the second curtain, and travels across the sensor with the second curtain following close behind.
The speed of the shutter is expressed in whole seconds as well as fractions of a second. A shutter speed of 1/640 means the shutter will open and the sensor exposed for only one-six-hundred-and-fortieth of a second.
Exposure
Exposure is so named because it refers to exposing the sensor or film to light in order to take a photograph. An exposure is also another name for a photograph for this reason.
When a photograph is taken, how much light is exposed to the sensor is determined by the shutter speed settings and the aperture. For darker photos, a larger aperture setting and slower shutter speed may be needed or utilizing both.
The term 'correct exposure' refers to the approximation of what could be seen by the photographer's naked eye at the time of the photograph, however this is truly a matter of taste. It is possible however, to take a photo in the dark of night at a shutter speed so long that the photo appears to have been taken in the daytime.
Aperture
This refers to a diaphragm inside all cameras which change size to admit more or less light. This structure is very similar to how the human eye works in that a circular opening becomes enlarged or smaller dependent upon how much light there is.
The most confusing thing about aperture is the nomenclature used. It is quoted in what are called f-stops. A smaller f-stop number, for example f/1.8, actually means that the aperture will open wider, while a larger f-stop, for example f/22, means only a tiny opening.
If you have an SLR camera, you will not have the wide range of f-stops. The range can run from f/2.8 to f/8 which means the widest the aperture will open is 2.8 and the narrowest is 8.
Sensor
When you press the button to take a photo, the camera contains a light-sensitive panel that records the light hitting it at the time. This function in a digital camera performs the same function as film does in a film camera. This sensor is hidden behind the shutter (see below) and is not exposed until the button is pressed. Light is recorded by the sensor when a photo is taken and stored on a memory card.
Shutter Speed
A shutter on a camera is located just in front of the image sensor. This piece is always closed until the button to take a photo is pressed. Once the button is pressed, the shutter opens for a specific period of time, exposing the sensor to light.
The shutter in most cameras will be comprised of two curtains. For longer exposures, the whole sensor might be exposed for a period of time before the second curtain closes it. In the case of fast shutter speed however, the first curtain opens only a tiny gap between it and the second curtain, and travels across the sensor with the second curtain following close behind.
The speed of the shutter is expressed in whole seconds as well as fractions of a second. A shutter speed of 1/640 means the shutter will open and the sensor exposed for only one-six-hundred-and-fortieth of a second.
Exposure
Exposure is so named because it refers to exposing the sensor or film to light in order to take a photograph. An exposure is also another name for a photograph for this reason.
When a photograph is taken, how much light is exposed to the sensor is determined by the shutter speed settings and the aperture. For darker photos, a larger aperture setting and slower shutter speed may be needed or utilizing both.
The term 'correct exposure' refers to the approximation of what could be seen by the photographer's naked eye at the time of the photograph, however this is truly a matter of taste. It is possible however, to take a photo in the dark of night at a shutter speed so long that the photo appears to have been taken in the daytime.
About the Author:
Tobias Sterling has been in love with photography for many years. He loves to write and share his knowledge with fellow enthusiast on Clivir.com where you can find his lessons including Beginners Photography Tips and Black White Photographing Tips.
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